Reports From the Board

With the arrival of our new website, we are pleased to announce that the Board will begin sharing updates and news of important Board actions and congregational planning here. This will help us share information in a more timely way, connect you to minutes from our meetings and create a new vehicle for connection to the Board as a whole.

JUNE 15, 2011 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SUMMARY

Kolot Chayeinu held its annual congregational meeting on June 15, 2011. Over 50 Kolot members attended. In case you missed it, we wanted to share with you some of the topics that our president, rabbi, and various committee heads reported on and that your fellow members voted on. Matters in brackets [ ] reflect updated information.

• The success of the Chai Time event, which netted over $50,000. [In fact, we made almost $60,000.]
• The multiple ways the Board and Staff are assessing and improving Kolot's programs and administration.   In the fall we will have analyzed and can share with the congregation results of the survey that most of you filled out this spring. We are also getting advice on where we might benefit from outsourcing various tasks that we currently do in-house to enhance efficiency.
• Our ongoing search for and difficulties related to space. We're still trying to think creatively about how we might gain needed office space and find more suitable HHD space.      
• Some important staff changes. Lisa B. Segal, as an ordained cantor, is now fully clergy and will be assuming more responsibilities in that regard. Our Administrative Director duties will soon become full-time, while we are eliminating the Facilities and Logistics Coordinator position. And we have a new student rabbi, Scott Fox, beginning in September 2011.
• The work of our Social Justice Committee. Eitz Kehillah is now a facilitation committee, set to help members and non-members fully develop projects they hope to work on within Kolot Chayeinu. Application forms and directions will soon be available on our new website. Barbara Kancelbaum organized members to work in July at the Park Slope Men's Shelter
• Our new and improved website. A new homepage with new content is on its way. Once the site is up and running, a part-time content manager and part-time web master will maintain it. [The site went live in early October 2011.]
• Our fabulous Children's Learning Program, which continues to grow. Education Director Ora Wise presented an overview of the curriculum and showed some of the work done by students this past year.
• Our budget. The 5772 budget and dues structure reflect the Board's recommendation that we rely more heavily on dues income, rather than fund-raising to cover our expenses. Discussion focused on dues levels, and consultant work and pay.

 Those in attendance approved several actions:

• Election of the new slate of Directors and Officers
• Rabbi's employment agreement and salary
• Affirmation of the new Siddur (Kol HaNeshama)
• Change to the by-laws requiring a 2/3 majority for major congregational decision, such as affiliation and the purchase of real property

Do you want to know more?   Please be in touch with Kolot's Administrative Director, Diane Kirschner for the complete minutes that will include a detailed budget and dues structure chart, the full text of the by-law change, and the listing of all board members.